Chapter 118: Five Elders

"Sakazuki, get yourself ready. We're heading to Mariejois in three days."

That was the message Sengoku delivered to Akainu on a fateful day.

It wasn't a surprise for Akainu; Sengoku had informed him about this rendezvous over a year ago. Akainu nodded in acknowledgment, knowing what lay ahead.

What puzzled Akainu was the timing. The World Summit was still months away, so why were the Five Elders summoning Sengoku and him now?

"Yo, Sakazuki! It's been a while."

To Akainu's astonishment, he came face to face with Garp at Marine Headquarters. They hadn't seen each other in years, not even at the annual Marine meetings. Garp's whereabouts had been a mystery, with only hints that he was tending to his grandson.

Encountering Garp now caught Akainu off guard.

"When did you get back?" Akainu inquired skeptically.

Garp retorted, somewhat annoyed, "Sakazuki, watch your tone! Did you not notice I'd been gone? I returned two days ago, but you kids never keep track."

Akainu genuinely hadn't known; he'd been immersed in refining his abilities.

"Your grandson send you?" Akainu asked.

Garp grumbled, "Enough chitchat. Let's spar. I want to see how far you've come in these years."

The two wasted no time, heading straight to the training grounds. Hours flew by in a flurry of action.

As they caught their breath, Garp, wide-eyed, marveled at Akainu's progress. He confessed that, initially, he'd struggled against Akainu, who'd grown immensely strong since their last bout.

Akainu downplayed it: "Just routine training. Perhaps you haven't kept up."

"Is that so?" Garp scratched his head, puzzled by Akainu's rapid advancement.

Akainu casually tossed Garp a doughnut. This was a familiar gesture, but Akainu's expression hinted at something different this time.

Garp devoured the treat, oblivious to Akainu's scrutiny.

"Why are you staring?" Garp finally noticed Akainu's strange gaze.

After a few minutes, Garp felt an intense heat surging through him. He grew uncomfortable and confronted Akainu.

"Sakazuki, what did you do?"

Akainu feigned innocence. Garp realized the source of his discomfort.

"Argh! What's happening?" Garp cried out, feeling the effects of Akainu's enchantment.

Akainu watched, satisfied. The enchantment was effective—even on someone as formidable as Garp.

Garp fled in distress, vowing revenge.

"Sakazuki, you'll pay!" Garp shouted as he ran off.

Akainu chuckled to himself. The enchantment's potency impressed him.

He hoped to witness how Garp would resolve his predicament.

To Akainu's disappointment, Garp took to the sea instead of pursuing a more conventional solution.

Despite the anticlimax, Akainu found the experiment enlightening.

Three days later, Akainu and Sengoku set sail for Mariejois aboard a warship.

Mariejois was shrouded in mystery—a sanctuary of the Celestial Dragons, forbidden even to high-ranking Marines like Sengoku and Akainu.

Their summons by the Five Elders was a rare privilege, allowing them passage into this enigmatic domain.

.....

Mariejois, the hallowed domain of the World Government and the dwelling place of the Celestial Dragons, stands as the nexus of global authority.

For Akainu, this marked his inaugural visit to Mariejois. The city's opulence and bustling populace struck him with awe; it was a far cry from any ordinary town.

Accompanied by Sengoku, Akainu was led to the presence of the Five Elders. Even with their distinguished ranks, they were not granted license to roam freely within Mariejois.

The Five Elders.

Sengoku promptly paid his respects upon encountering the Five Elders, also acknowledging the nearby presence of Commander-in-Chief Kong.

It was Akainu's first official encounter with the Five Elders. Arrayed before him were five figures much as depicted in the anime: four attired in somber suits and one, the eldest, clad in robes with an ancient blade at his side.

The bald elder fixed a sharp gaze upon Akainu, inquiring, "You are the new Marine Admiral, Akainu?"

Though the world recognized Akainu as Marine Admiral, the title held little weight before the Five Elders until his formal induction.

As Akainu locked eyes with the Five Elders, he noted their unexpected demeanor.

The sovereign figures of the World Government, he mused, bore not the typical airs of opulence but rather an air of seasoned resilience, etched with the scars of past conflicts.

In truth, the knowledge available on the Five Elders was scant. While acknowledged as the celestial representatives and paramount officials of the World Government, their origins and identities remained elusive to Akainu.

He suspected there might be a correlation between the attire of the Four Elders and the garb worn by CP0 operatives, both sworn adherents of the Celestial Dragons.

Yet Akainu harbored these musings discreetly, showing no outward indication of his contemplations.

"I am Akainu, and you are the Five Elders?"

While respectful of their stature, Akainu harbored no reverence. To him, they were mere puppeteers, and he now stood as Marine Admiral—an esteemed title, albeit subordinate to the Five Elders.

Sengoku's nonchalance was unsurprising; however, the Five Elders viewed Akainu's demeanor with disapproval. Accustomed to deference, they found Akainu's tone unsettling.

Kong's repeated glances at Akainu bore testament to his seasoned understanding of the Five Elders' influence. He hoped to preempt any discord that might arise between Akainu and the Five Elders.

The elderly figure in the dark blue suit, sporting long white hair and a flowing beard, addressed Akainu in grave tones: "Sakazuki, we recognize your accomplishments since assuming the role of Marine Admiral. However, your failure to eliminate the Red Hair threat in the first half of the Grand Line, allowing him to ascend to the rank of Four Emperors, carries dire repercussions."

For the Five Elders, few events incited ire, yet the emergence of a New World Four Emperor fanned the flames of their displeasure. Moreover, they attributed this predicament to Akainu's earlier proposals.

While the Five Elders refrained from explicit condemnation, their dissatisfaction lingered palpably. Akainu's apparent indifference only compounded their disdain.

Sengoku's participation in the ensuing World Summit was expected. Traditionally, the Holy Land would oversee security, but circumstances had shifted.

In light of recent Revolutionary Army activity, the World Government faced mounting challenges. This necessitated the deployment of forces to suppress the rebellion, leaving the Holy Land depleted.

Sengoku nodded in understanding, recognizing the constraints imposed by current events.

The Five Elders turned once more to Akainu, announcing his inclusion in the upcoming World Summit.

For many, participation in the World Summit held great honor. Yet, for Akainu, the prospect was less appealing. His role would be peripheral, devoid of influence in major decisions—a scenario he loathed.

Nonetheless, the Five Elders' edict left Akainu no choice but to comply.

Having exchanged their parting words with Akainu, the Five Elders bid him leave, retaining Sengoku for further discussions. Akainu, ever pragmatic, departed without protest.